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The North Carolina Football Club announced today a multi-year strategic partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), a not-for-profit North Carolina company focused on making health care better, simpler and more affordable for the communities in which they serve. Blue Cross NC is now the official health insurance partner of the North Carolina Football Club. 

“North Carolina FC and NCFC Youth have a long history of working with Blue Cross NC, and we’re excited to announce our new partnership, which will build on the history of supporting the Youth to Pro program in the region,” said Francie Gottsegen, President of the North Carolina Football Club. “The partnership will also showcase powerful female leaders in the community, alongside NC Courage and NCFC Youth players, discussing their journeys and what has shaped their views on leadership. We look forward to working with Blue Cross NC and NCFC Youth on this exciting new initiative.”

As part of the multi-year deal, the club will spearhead a program entitled ‘Courage in Leadership,’ which includes video series highlighting North Carolina FC Youth players, North Carolina Courage players, and leading female executives from the Triangle, with the objective of celebrating women in leadership positions, in the community, and around the state. The series will also aim to embrace and grow gender diversity in both business leadership and in athletics. 

“Blue Cross NC is committed to gender equity in sports and in leadership, and the Courage in Leadership initiative is a great opportunity to celebrate the women in our communities,” said Reagan Greene, Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement at Blue Cross NC. “Inclusive, equitable environments help lead to healthy communities and we are proud to partner with the North Carolina Football Club to empower more women into future leadership, helping our communities to thrive.”  

The North Carolina Courage will open their season with a match against NJ/NY Gotham FC on Saturday, March 19 at 7 pm ET at WakeMed Soccer Park as part of the third annual NWSL Challenge Cup. Tickets and additional information about the tournament can be found here. 

About NCFC:

The North Carolina Football Club is the largest youth-to-pro club in the nation and is the parent organization of North Carolina FC and North Carolina Courage (NWSL) and North Carolina FC Youth. The organization is owned by local entrepreneur, Steve Malik, and managed by North Carolina native and longtime soccer executive Curt Johnson. North Carolina Football Club was established in 2016 to bring the highest levels of men’s and women’s professional soccer to the state. For more information on the club, please visit www.NorthCarolinaFC.com.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) is committed to making health care better, simpler and more affordable. We have been driving better health in North Carolina since 1933, working to tackle our communities’ greatest health challenges. Blue Cross NC serves its customers and communities of more than 4.2 million members, including approximately 1.1 million on behalf of other Blue Plans. Blue Cross NC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit Blue Cross NC online at www.bluecrossnc.com. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

2022 HOME MATCHES ON SALE NOW!

All 2022 home matches for North Carolina FC are now on sale! Purchase your tickets HERE.

Want to make sure you’re available to cheer on NCFC? Check out the schedule one more time. 

Can’t wait to see you all this season!

North Carolina FC continued their preseason schedule against the University of North Carolina at Wilmington on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Seahawks 3-0 behind goals from Christian Lue Young, Luis Arriaga, and Jaden Servania. 

With twenty minutes expired in the first half, NCFC was awarded a corner kick that was taken by Arriaga. Finding the head of Lue Young at the back post, Arriaga recorded the assist as Lue Young converted the chance to put the North Carolina side up 1-0. The goal was Lue Young’s first of the preseason schedule and his first with the club.

Arriaga doubled NCFC’s lead with a goal of his own, receiving a pass from Garrett McLaughlin just outside the eighteen. With a precise touch, Arriaga buried a shot past the UNCW goalkeeper and into the upper 90, finishing the day with an assist and a goal. 

Scoring NCFC’s final goal of the contest was Servania, who received a short pass from Nicolás Molina in the box and finished the chance at close range. Servania’s goal was also his first of the preseason schedule and his first with the club, extending NCFC’s lead to 3-0. This scoreline held through the rest of the match as Head Coach John Bradford’s team picked up their second consecutive win. 

Up Next: North Carolina FC will host Columbus Crew 2 of MLSNext Pro on Wednesday, March 9 for their third preseason match of the year. This contest will be open to the public, with additional information for spectators and media available here. 

Notes:

• Christian Lue Young and Jaden Servania recorded their first preseason goals with the club.
• Luis Arriaga, Garrett McLaughlin, and Nicolás Molina all recorded assists 
• Nick Holliday recorded the clean sheet, his second of NCFC’s preseason schedule. 

COURAGE VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACH AND NCFC YOUTH GIRLS ACADEMY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR TO LEAD THE INAUGURAL SEASON

The North Carolina Football Club today announced Willie Davis as Head Coach of the NC Courage U23s ahead of their inaugural season in the United Soccer League (USL) W League. The announcement comes on the heels of the North Carolina Football Club’s expansion into the W League.

“We are fortunate to have an exemplary professional NWSL team like the NC Courage, as well as a top youth program in NC Courage Academy to continue our overall pathway for women soccer players in this area,” said Davis. “All and all, the NC Courage standard has been a benchmark for the women’s game, and we plan to continue that trend with our newly formed U23 W-League Courage team. We always strive to achieve standards of excellence at both the youth and senior women’s team levels, with the hope that we have programs that our players, families, and staff are honored to be part of, and that’s our plan for the U23 team as well.”

NC Courage U23 W League team will be operated in partnership with the NC Courage and will participate in the South Atlantic Division, which includes six total clubs across North Carolina and South Carolina. The team will compete in a 10-week season that kicks off in May, with all home games taking place at WakeMed Soccer Park. The roster will be composed of mostly NC Courage Academy players and collegiate players with ties to the NC Courage Academy and NCFC Youth. To view the latest USL W League schedule, click here.

Davis brings a wealth of knowledge to the U23 Courage team having coached at both the youth and collegiate level. During his time with the Franklin Pierce University men’s team, helped lead the team to the DII NCAA National Finals in 2005 and 2007, winning the title that year. Davis then went on to coach with the Louisiana State University Tigers women’s team from 2009 – 2011. In addition to his collegiate career, Davis has more than 20 years of experience coaching at the youth level.

In his five years with NCFC Youth, Davis has been involved in the highest levels of youth soccer with the Girls ECNL (coming to Raleigh N.C. to take over the girls NCFC ECNL Directors role from 2017-2019) and NC Courage Academy programs (2020-present). 

During the inaugural season, Davis will be supported by Emma Thomson (NC Courage First Team Assistant Coach), Ashley Williams (NCFC Youth ECNL Coach) and Wezley Barnard (NCFC Youth Director of Goalkeeping).

More information on team tryout and invite selection will be released later this spring. For inquiries or questions, email Willie.Davis@NCFCYouth.com.

About the USL W League

The USL W League is a pre-professional women’s soccer league dedicated to creating a national platform to increase opportunity, gender equity, and career development on and off the field. With 43 teams from 20 different states prepared to participate in this summer’s inaugural season, elite women’s soccer players will have the opportunity to train in a competitive environment and be part of a stronger pipeline between college and professional soccer.

The North Carolina Football Club is holding auditions for National Anthem singers for the North Carolina FC and North Carolina Courage 2022 season. The National Anthem is sung before each home match at WakeMed Soccer Park. Solo acts or groups are encouraged to audition.

All ages are welcome to submit an application. Instrumentalists can also apply. The audition order will be determined on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Those interested in the opportunity can apply by emailing a video or audio clip singing the National Anthem to info@northcarolinafc.com. Applications will be accepted through March 10. Further instruction will be provided once the audition clip has been received.

 Defender Gustavo Fernandes has signed a contract with North Carolina FC for the 2022 season, the club announced today. The deal is pending league and federation approval, and comes after Fernandes spent the first week of preseason training as a trialist with the team. 

“The first week of training has been great, the club has made me feel very comfortable right away,” Fernandes said. “Everyone was getting after it and competing with one another, and you can tell right away that there’s a desire to win and compete for a championship which makes me really excited to join the team for the upcoming year. The fans can expect someone who’s going to leave it all out there for the team. I am super excited to get going and looking forward to competing for a championship.”

Fernandes joins North Carolina FC from Forward Madison of USL League One, where he spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons. While with the Flamingos, Fernandes made 26 appearances, 19 of which were starts, collecting an assist and 1,704 minutes of playing time. Prior to his time in Madison, the 24-year-old spent the 2019 season with the Ocean City Nor’easters of USL League Two, playing in twelve matches. Briefly, he played for the Tampa Bay Rowdies U-23 squad in Tampa, FL. 

The West Babylon, NY native began his college playing career at Iowa Western Community College before transferring to Stony Brook University, scoring three goals and tallying five assists. At Stony Brook, Fernandes scored five goals and added one assist in 32 appearances for the Seawolves, earning a second-team all-conference selection in 2018. 

“I’m extremely happy to add Gustavo to our group at North Carolina FC this year,” said Head Coach John Bradford. “He is a quality defender with strong qualities on both sides of the ball. He’s had a very positive preseason with us so far and definitely earned this opportunity.”

North Carolina FC will host two preseason matches that will be open to the public and to the media, the club announced today. 

On Wednesday, March 9, the squad will host Columbus Crew MLSNext Pro at 1 p.m. ET on Field 6 at WakeMed Soccer Park. Later, on Saturday, March 19, NCFC will host the Richmond Kickers at 2 p.m. ET on Field 6 at WakeMed Soccer Park. Fans in attendance at these preseason matches will be required to sit or stand outside of the fenced area while viewing the competition. Masks are not required. 

Head Coach John Bradford will be available to the media at the conclusion of each of these preseason games, as well as two players to be determined following the match. Due to these press conferences being held in person, media members are required to wear a mask while interacting with coaches and players.

Media members can RSVP to Hannah Martin at hmartin@northcarolinafc.com or to Megan O’Keefe at mokeefe@northcarolinafc.com.

Open Preseason Match Schedule:

• Wednesday, March 9 at 1 p.m. ET vs. Columbus Crew MLSNext Pro @ WakeMed Soccer Park Field 6
• Saturday, March 19 at 2 p.m. ET vs. Richmond Kickers @ WakeMed Soccer Park Field 6

North Carolina FC opened their preseason schedule against the University of North Carolina at Greensboro on Saturday afternoon, besting the Spartans 1-0 behind an early goal from NCFC newcomer Garrett McLaughlin. 

With twenty minutes expired in the first half, midfielder Raheem Somersall slotted a driven ball to McLaughlin in the UNCG box. McLaughlin took advantage of his opportunity, hammering a one-touch shot past the UNCG goalkeeper to give NCFC the upper hand. Several new signees recorded their first preseason minutes with the club, including McLaughlin, Somersall, Jaden Servania, Jordan Skelton, Christian Lue Young, Showkat Tahir, and Nicolás Molina. 

Returning to NCFC for his second season as a professional, Nick Holliday recorded the start in net, making a key save in the first half to preserve the clean sheet and render UNCG scoreless throughout the match. 

Up Next: North Carolina FC will host the University of North Carolina at Wilmington on Saturday, February 26 for their second preseason match of the year. This contest will be closed-door, with live updates to be posted during the match and a match recap to be made available afterwards. 

Notes:

• Garrett McLaughlin recorded his first preseason goal with the club, with Raheem Somersall adding the assist. 
• Nick Holliday recorded his first clean sheet of the preseason slate.
• Garrett McLaughlin, Raheem Somersall, Jaden Servania, Jordan Skelton, Christian Lue Young, Showkat Tahir, and Nicolás Molina recorded their first preseason minutes with the club in today’s match.

MATCHES HELD ON MARCH 9 AND MARCH 19 WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

After beginning preseason training Monday, North Carolina FC has announced its preseason schedule, which includes four games at WakeMed Soccer Park. Two of these preseason tilts (March 9, March 19) will be open to the public and the media, with details regarding fan attendance, COVID-19 protocol, and media RSVPs to be made available shortly.

NCFC will first host the University of North Carolina at Greensboro on Saturday, February 19 before facing off against the University of North Carolina at Wilmington on February 26 to conclude preseason matches during the month of February. On March 9, the squad will host Columbus Crew MLSNext. Later, on March 19, NCFC will host the Richmond Kickers before hitting the road for their final preseason match against the Charlotte Independence on March 26. 

NCFC’s regular season kicks off on the road against South Georgia Tormenta FC on Saturday, April 2 at Eagle Field at Erk Russell Park in Statesboro, GA. 

North Carolina FC 2022 Preseason Matches

HOME:

• Saturday, February 19 vs. UNCG
• Saturday, February 26 vs. UNCW
• Wednesday, March 9 at 1 pm ET vs. Columbus Crew MLSNext Pro @ WakeMed Soccer Park Field 6
• Saturday, March 19 at 2 pm ET vs. Richmond Kickers @ WakeMed Soccer Park Field 6

AWAY:

• Saturday, March 26 @ Charlotte Independence

ARGENTINIAN FORWARD WAS AWARDED 2021 USL LEAGUE TWO MVP, GOLDEN BOOT

Forward Nicolás Molina has signed a contract with North Carolina FC for the 2022 season, the club announced today. The deal is pending league and federation approval. 

“I’m incredibly happy to join North Carolina FC,” Molina said. “This is an amazing club, and I’ve been working hard to get here. It’s time to show people what I came for — NCFC deserves a spot in the playoffs and this group has the talent to make it happen. Being part of this club is a dream come true.”

Molina joins North Carolina FC from West Virginia United of USL League Two, where he was named the league’s Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot winner in 2021. The Buenos Aires, Argentina, native led his squad to a third-place finish in the South Atlantic Division, scoring 16 goals in only 13 games played and averaging 1.23 goals per game, a single-season club record. In what was arguably his best performance of the League Two season, Molina once scored four goals in 82 minutes played against Wake FC. Prior to his time with West Virginia United, Molina played for the U-20 team of the Argentine Primera División’s River Plate in 2018.[ET1] . 

No stranger to the East Coast, Molina transferred to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 2021, playing in 16 games for the Seahawks and collecting 13 points, six goals and one assist. He also spent two seasons with St. Francis College in Brooklyn, where he featured in 25 games, scoring five goals and assisting four while registering 52 shots. 

“I am very excited to have Nico join us here at North Carolina FC,” said Head Coach John Bradford.  “He is a player that we have been tracking for the last year through his play at UNCW and in League Two this past summer. I believe Nico has all of the tools necessary to be a major attacking threat in our league and we’re thrilled to add him to our roster.”